Mortgage application and electoral roll

BeaBea1

Hello. First time poster here. After a year in the planning my German husband and I (British) and our two kids are returning to live in the UK. We already have a rental property sorted and we plan to live there for about a year while we acquire a decent credit profile in order for us to apply for a mortgage to buy a house in 12 to 18 months time. My husband will continue to work for a German company and commute to Germany when he needs to or work from home. Today I found out that he can't get on the electoral roll without an NI number. He won't be able to get an NI number because he doesn't work in the UK. No Electoral roll equals no mortgage. Really don't know what to do next. Does anyone know if you can still apply for a mortgage with other forms of ID? We are gutted.

kingstreet

No Electoral roll equals no mortgage.

Where have you got that from? People in the UK on visas can't vote, but still get a mortgage.

Seek assistance from an experienced independent broker.

BeaBea1

Thanks Kingstreet for your reply. I thought it was a dealbreaker if you weren't on the electoral roll? Read that on here, on Matin's advice for getting yourself in the best shape for a mortgage. Yes, I always planned to speak to a broker, just got a bit of a shock today when enquiring with the local authority about registering on ER.

kingstreet

Like I said, people who can't register on the electoral roll still get mortgages, so what you have ascertained/assumed is incorrect.

Yes, it's helpful, and if you can join the electoral roll, you should certainly do so...

...it is certainly not a deal-breaker. Just beware of lenders who insist on a three year UK address history. You'll have a limited number of perhaps two or three lenders open to you.

BeaBea1

Ok, thanks once again.

davidmcn

BeaBea1 wrote: »

He won't be able to get an NI number because he doesn't work in the UK.

Where did you get that from? I'm pretty sure he can get one if he has the right to work in the UK - which he (for the meantime!) does.

Thrugelmir

BeaBea1 wrote: »

My husband will continue to work for a German company and commute to Germany when he needs to or work from home.

Does the German Company concerned have a UK operation.

BeaBea1

No Thrugelmir, based entirely in Germany.

Davidmcn, maybe I have misunderstood that bit then. Do you think he can have a NI number without working and with no intention of working in the UK?

Thrugelmir

BeaBea1 wrote: »

Do you think he can have a NI number without working and with no intention of working in the UK?

How frequent will the work related trips back to Germany be?

BeaBea1

At least once a month? As he can work from home.

davidmcn

BeaBea1 wrote: »

Davidmcn, maybe I have misunderstood that bit then. Do you think he can have a NI number without working and with no intention of working in the UK?

Well, where did you get your understanding from?

According to the government's website:

You must have the right to work or study in the UK to get a National Insurance number.